Continuing the Van Bosse research on Tarama

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The past few days were devoted to exploring the possibilities to learn more about the wreck Van Bosse which sank in 1857 off the coast of Tarama. By conducting several interviews with residents, who have been narrated stories about the wreck by their ancestors, but also with information from local books and archives we are able to develop scenarios about how the ship must have sunk after being leak bumped on the reef. This again helps us with the search for the wreck itself.

Tarama island

We have found objects, like an anchor, a bottle of gin, a huge chest and shards of major Chinese jars that may also have been on board the ship. But parts of the ship itself are still not found. Dr. Ikeda and Mr. Sasaki will focus their attention on this in November. Using a metal detector they will search the impact site, where most objects are found and everything in between will be swum and explored.

At the same time they will continue to conduct interviews with the people of Tarama who know the stories about the wreck. An information project with the elementary school will be launched. In November, the children on the island can meet archaeologists and interview them for the project. In the Netherlands and Germany we will do further research into the archives.

The Van Bosse project is alive! It’s interesting and amazing to see how excited everyone is. The administration of the island would like to do more with the story and the wreck site. It would indeed give the particularly beautiful diving at Tarama an additional cultural and historical dimension. Then it becomes even more worthwhile to travel over here and visit this island paradise, voted one of the most beautiful municipalities of Japan.